The upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championship is on the minds of many fans, but the current focus is on the Diamond League Final. A trio of Canadian athletes, namely Sprinter Audrey Leduc, middle-distance runner Marco Arop, and shot put star Sarah Mitton, are gearing up to compete for top honors and a $30,000 prize in their respective events on Friday in Brussels.
Teammate Andre De Grasse, who initially qualified for the men’s 200 meters in Belgium, withdrew from the event due to personal commitments as he shifts his attention to the Ultimate Championship, as confirmed by Athletics Canada. The athletes participating in the Diamond League Final have earned their spots through accumulating points during the Road to the Final series held across various continents between April and August.
The 50th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme track and field meet at King Baudouin Stadium will feature around 40 reigning world and/or Olympic champions. Among the Canadians competing, Sarah Mitton aims to secure her second Diamond League Trophy in Belgium, following a previous title stripped from her due to a rule violation.
The competition will be fierce, with Mitton, Arop, and Leduc looking to make their mark in their respective events. A win in Brussels could secure them a spot in the prestigious World Athletics Ultimate Championship, boasting a substantial prize pool. However, the women’s shot put event, where Mitton competes, will not be part of the Ultimate Championship, which automatically includes Olympic champions from 2024 and last year’s world championship gold medallists.